Knife crime ‘blighting the lives of too many children’ in England, warn inspectors

A knife bin stands on one of London's streets. Photograph: Barry Vincent/Alamy

Serious youth violence in England is widespread and not restricted to particular ethnic or demographic groups, according to investigators who were told that children as young as 11 are carrying knives for protection.

The joint report by school, police and probation inspectors found that youth violence could be reduced by careful early intervention but warned that the dangers facing children were more far-reaching than realised by many adults.